How do you solve #1/(t+1) = (2x-6)/(3x+8)#?

1 Answer
Jun 24, 2015

#t = 1/2 + 17/(2x-6)#

with exclusion #x != -8/3#

#x = 17/(2t-1)+3#

with exclusion #t != -1#

Explanation:

First note that the values #x = -8/3# and #t = -1# cause division by #0#, so are excluded values.

Multiply both sides of the equation by #(3x + 8)# to get:

#(3x+8)/(t+1) = 2x-6#

Multiply both sides of this equation by #(t+1)# to get:

#3x+8 = (2x-6)(t+1)#

#=(2x-6)t + (2x - 6)#

Subtract #(2x-6)# from both sides to get:

#(2x-6)t = (3x+8)-(2x-6)#

#=3x + 8 - 2x + 6#

#=3x - 2x + 8 + 6#

#=(3-2)x+14#

#=x+14#

Divide both ends by #(2x-6)# to get:

#t = (x+14)/(2x-6)#

#=(x-3+17)/(2(x-3))#

#=(x-3)/(2(x-3))+17/(2(x-3))#

#=1/2+17/(2(x-3))#

#=1/2+17/(2x-6)#

So:

#color(red)(t = 1/2 + 17/(2x-6))#

To find #x# in terms of #t#, first subtract #1/2# from both sides to get:

#t - 1/2 = 17/(2x-6)#

Multiply both sides by #2# to get:

#2t-1 = 17/(x-3)#

Multiply both sides by #(x-3)# and divide both sides by #(2t-1)# to get:

#x-3 = 17/(2t-1)#

Add #3# to both sides to get:

#color(red)(x = 17/(2t-1)+3)#